U.S. Department of State News: Deputy Secretary Sullivan’s Meeting With Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita in Morocco

Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan met today with Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Nasser Bourita. The Deputy Secretary thanked the Foreign Minister for the longstanding strategic partnership between the United States and Morocco. The two discussed a wide range of political, economic, and security issues, including advancing regional stability, expanding bilateral trade opportunities, and promoting ongoing initiatives on religious tolerance.

Deputy Secretary Sullivan and Foreign Minister Bourita discussed continuing our bilateral dialogue and a broad array of cooperative efforts, including meetings this year of the Strategic Energy Working Group and the Defense Consultative Committee. The Deputy Secretary thanked the Foreign Minister and the Moroccan government for its important role in countering terrorism and violent extremism. Deputy Secretary Sullivan also thanked Morocco for co-hosting this week, a coordination meeting of the Global Counterterrorism Forum’s Initiative to Address Homegrown Terrorism and a political directors’ meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS.

Deputy Secretary Sullivan and Foreign Minister Bourita also discussed opportunities to strengthen trade and investment ties between the United States and Morocco, building on the bilateral Free Trade Agreement. The Deputy Secretary also expressed U.S. interest in advancing UN-led efforts to find a peaceful, sustainable, and mutually acceptable political solution that provides for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara. Deputy Secretary Sullivan also emphasized that Morocco’s autonomy plan is serious, realistic, and credible, and that it represents one potential approach that could satisfy the aspirations of the people in the Western Sahara to run their own affairs in peace and dignity.